ACCUMULATOR WITH GUIDING PLATES FOR HEAT AND COOLING STORAGE

Abstract: In a normal accumulator for storing heated or chilled fluids it is usual to use the capability of fluids to build layers with the coldest fluid at the bottom and the warmest at the top of the accumulator. The layers are working best if the accumulator is high compared to its section dimensions and the fluid is not moving fast. According to this innovation the accumulator is divided into several compartments in such a way that the layers can be used and the movement of the fluid is minimized.

Description: ACCUMULATOR WITH GUIDING PLATES FOR HEAT AND COOLING STORAGE Background 1 In a normal accumulator for storing heated or chilled fluids it is usual to use the capability of fluids to build layers with the coldest fluid at the bottom and the warmest at the top of the accumulator. The layers are working best if the ac umulator is high compared to its sectiondimensions and the fluύd is not moving fast. According to this innovation the accumulator is divided into several compartments in such a way that the layers can be used and the movement of the fluid is minimized. Description or the function Two possible examples of the design are shown in Fig. 1. and Fig. 2 with a circular crossection and in Fig.3. and Fig. 4. with a rectangular crossection. The innovation is not limited to these crossections but can be used with all possible types of crossections. In the example below the system is descibed when used for storing chilled liquid. When using the accumulator tor storing of heated liquid the fluid is pumped in the opposite direction. The accumulator is divided with vertical guiding plates 08, 09 and 10 into three compartments. These guiding plates go froni ihe top of the acu ulator down near to the accumulators bottom where a space is left open. Three more guiding plates 03, 04 and OS are installed near the above mentioned guiding plates so that compared with the width of the compartment a small space is left between 05 and 10, 04 and 09 and 03 and 08. The three latest named guiding plates go from the bouom of the accumuiaiei near to the top of the accumulator where a space is left open. When the accumulator according Fig. 1. is charged with chilled fluid the heated fluid is pumped through connection 07 at the top of the accumulator to a cooling unit and the chilled fluid is coming back into the accumulator through connection 01 near the bottom of the accumulator. The chilled fluid is filling cylinder 04 from bottom and pressing the warmer fluid which was stored in this cylinder upwards. The warm fluid is further pressed through space between 04 and 09 to the next compartment and then through the space between 03 and 08 into the third compartment. A front with dialed fluid on the bottom side and warm fluid on the upper side moves up and down in the accumulator until) it comes to the outlet connection 07. The temperature of the outgoing fluid is measured and when the front passes the measuring point the charging is discontinued if the temperature is low enough. In other case the charging is continued and a new front starts moving in the accumulator. The charging goes on untill a cold enough front passes the measuring point. Therefore the accumulator is charged in one or several steps into the desired temperature. When discharging the accumulator chilled fluid is taken out through the connection 01 and heated fluid comes in tlirough the connection 07. The accumulator is discharging chilled fluid at the same temperature untill a front coming from 07 between warm and chilled water arrives at 01. Then warmer fluid with constant temperature is taken out through 0] untill the next front arrives. Dy measuring the fluidtemperature at 01 it is decided when the accumulator has been discharged to such an extent that a new charging is necessary.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. Accumulator for storing chilled or heated fluids divided with vertical guiding plates into a number of compartments in such a way that the wail between two compartments consists of two guiding plates with a space between them and that one of the plates is connected to the top of the accumulator and has a space between itself and the bottom of the accumulator and the other one is connected to the bottom of the accumulator and has a space between itself and the top of the accumulator and that there are connections for the fluid at the top of the first compartment and at the bottom of the last compartment. 2. Fluidacυumulator according claim one with circular guiding plates. 3. Fluidaccumulator according claim 1 with flat guiding plates.

Inventors: ERMA EERO, ERMA, EERO
Applicants: ERMA EERO, ERMA, EERO
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F24D11
IPC codes: F28D20